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Sinamet
CR shortage update
From
early 2010 there has been a worldwide shortage of the medication
Sinamet CR (controlled release). This shortage has been significantly
disruptive for many people living with Parkinson’s who found this
medication effective in their symptom control.
Parkinson’s
Victoria is aware that MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme), the pharmaceutical
company producing Sinamet CR, has a small stockpile of the medication.
If you have been continuing to take Sinamet CR throughout the shortage
with special assistance from your neurologist, you are now able
to contact your pharmacist directly. Your pharmacist can order the
Sinamet CR directly from MSD for you.
It
is anticipated that regular supplies of Sinamet CR will be available
from mid-year.
Dandenong Community
Seminar
Thursday
17th February 1:30- 4:00pm
A
community seminar for people with Parkinson's, carers, family and
friends.
Are
you interested in learning more about Parkinson's disease and the
support and specialist services available in your local area?
Join
Parkinson's Victoria and keynote speaker Parkinson's Specialist
Neurologist, Dr Sanjay Raghav for an informative, relevant and friendly
community seminar. Dr Raghav is a Melbourne Neurologist who has
expertise in managing Parkinson's and other movement disorders.
He
will discuss a range of topics in relation to Parkinson's in easy-to-understand
language, including symptom management, current treatments and research.
Cost: Gold
coin donation RSVP is essential to Parkinson's Victoria
on 9551 1122
Parkinson’s
Tai Chi classes
Commencing
early March 2011, Parkinson's Victoria together with Uniting Aged
Care and Oakleigh Rehabilitation Programs, will be running Tai Chi
classes suitable for people with Parkinson's.
We
will run a Tai Chi session followed by morning tea and a group discussion
with information sharing.
When:
Weekly on Thursdays 10.30am-12.30pm
Where:
Oakleigh Rehabilitation, 68-72 Atherton Rd, Oakleigh.
Cost:
$5 per session
Please
contact Anastasia or Glenda to register your interest on (03) 9568-0466
RAPP
Project
RAPP
Advertising agency is generously donating their expertise, time
and resources to help Parkinson’s Victoria with an awareness campaign
targeting corporate businesses. Their aim is to raise awareness
of Parkinson’s to these large companies in an appeal for support
and funds.
RAPP
ran a campaign for Parkinson’s Awareness Week in 2009 which was
so successful it won the organisation a prestigious Gold award at
the international DMA Echo awards in the US.
All
support groups will shortly receive a package in the mail informing
you of the current RAPP project. They are calling for ‘film stars’
to highlight the daily difficulties that having Parkinson's brings.
It
is hoped this project will be successful in raising awareness and
financial support for Parkinson’s in the corporate sector. A sector
that is still relatively untapped by Parkinson's Victoria.
Impulse
Control Disorders and Parkinson’s
If
there is anyone in your group who has been affected by an impulse
control disorder (such as gambling, hypersexuality, shopping, hobbyism,
etc.) as a result of a dopamine agonist medication side-effect?
Any
dopamine agonist has the potential to cause Impulse Control Disorder
side-effects in a very small percentage of people who take them.
There
will be an upcoming support and information session run through
Parkinson’s Victoria, the Salvation Army and Gamblers Help for people
affected by an impulse control disorder. If there is someone in
your group who would like to meet others who have also been affected,
they are invited to an upcoming information session.
Please
contact Catherine at catherine@parkinsons-vic.org.au
or 9551 1122 for more information.
PSP
Australia welcomes people living with MSA and CBS
In
a move to better provide support to people living with MSA (Multiple
System Atropy) and CBS (Corticobasal Syndrome), PSP Australia (Progressive
Supranuclear Palsy) is inviting people living with MSA and CBS to
join them to form a combined group.
All
three conditions share a number of common symptoms despite being
quite unique. Many of the support options for people living with
PSP are also used by people living with CBS and MSA.
If
there is someone in your group who is living with PSP, CBS or MSA,
they are certainly most welcome to continue attending a Parkinson’s
Support Group, however, they are also encouraged to add their name
to the PSP Australia mailing list for more specific information
and support regarding their condition. Most importantly, joining
PSP Australia helps to give these conditions PSP, MSA and CBS a
stronger voice.
Please
contact Catherine at Catherine@parkinsons-vic.org.au
or call 9551 1122 for more information.
Need
a neurologist?
Please
find the updated Neurologist list below for you to print. There
have been a few changes to contact details, and in particular, there
are a couple of new names added to the list under the Movement Disorder
Specialist section:
Dr
Kelly Bertram, Alfred Hospital (public rooms) and Neurology Network
Melbourne (private)
Dr
Tissa Wijeratne, Western Hospital (public rooms) and Essendon Private
Hospital (private)
Dr Sanjay Raghav, Dandenong Neurology
It
is worthwhile for all groups to have an up-to-date list to be able
to refer group members to. A copy can also be found on the Parkinson’s
Victoria website.
Parkinson's
Victoria Neurologist List - Updated 2010
Looking
for a guest speaker for your support group in 2011…
Anne
Atkin, Ambassador and person living with Parkinson's, has kindly
offered to run her Painting with Parkinson’s workshops for support
groups in 2011. The initiative keeps growing and the sessions consist
of much more than just art. Creativity and it’s benefits in relaxation
are the theme. All while having a good time. Anne has been investigating
the role of art and creativity and it's benefits on the brain and
will gladly share her insights during these sessions too.
See
the attached brochure for more information and to book your session.
Get in quick!
Painting
with Parkinson's Support Group Workshops 2011
Sign
the Global Parkinson’s Pledge
Raise
the voice of the Parkinson's community by adding your name to the
Global Parkinson's Pledge.
Launched
at the recent World Parkinson's Congress in 2010, the Global Parkinson's
Pledge seeks 1 million signatures to give a clear, strong message
to governments, health agencies of the United Nations system, and
patient-oriented non-governmental organizations (NGOs) throughout
the world to improve resources, education and investment into Parkinson's
.
Visit
 www.parkinsonspledge.org
to show your support to the Global Parkinson's Pledge
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